City of Alexandria

Beatley Central Library

Alexandria, VA/USA

The Beatley library, set in an aging West End community in Alexandria, Virginia, created a popular urban amenity and helped spark a neighborhood revitalization. The 45,000 square foot library is located on a 7.2-acre site adjacent to Holmes Run, a forested streambed that feeds the Potomac. Since opening its doors, the Library has become a hub of communal activity.

Results

Human Focus

In addition to housing a large collection of print resources and audio-visual materials, the library hosts a variety of cultural and educational programs for all ages. Its spacious interior includes meeting and conference room facilities, public Internet stations, free wireless service and areas for quiet study or group interaction.

Transformation

The building is topped by a dozen roofs that recall the community's roots in Old Town. The resulting silhouette symbolizes the first step toward the city's master plan goal of establishing a new civic center on the west side of Alexandria.

Identity

Its unique roof line, comprised of multiple peaks referencing the architecture of the community’s Old Town, provides a striking landmark for Alexandria’s West End neighborhood.